This collection of 30 Traditional/Old School tattoo style prompts showcases the rich diversity of this classic style. With influences from various art genres, styles, techniques, and lighting and color settings, these prompts offer a unique blend of classic and contemporary design elements. The three most suitable artists for each prompt bring their own unique perspectives, resulting in stunning, high-resolution images. From fierce animals to delicate flowers, these prompts are sure to inspire and delight tattoo enthusiasts and art lovers alike.

30 text-to-image prompts for creating stunning traditional tattoos

1. A high-resolution painting of a roaring tiger tattoo surrounded by jungle foliage; Nature, Wildlife; Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Realism; Ink and watercolor; Natural sunlight; Vibrant shades of orange, green and brown; by Sailor Jerry, Don Ed Hardy, and Amund Dietzel; Unreal engine 5.
2. A high-resolution painting of a nautical themed tattoo with a lighthouse, anchor and compass; Nautical, Maritime; Traditional, New School, Realism; Oil on canvas; Soft, diffused lighting; Blue, grey and black shades; by Norman Keith Collins (Sailor Jerry), Lyle Tuttle, and Bert Grimm; Unreal engine 5.
3. A high-resolution painting of a mermaid tattoo swimming underwater among colorful marine life; Mythical creatures, Marine life; Traditional, Neo-Traditional, Realism; Oil on canvas; Sunlight filtering through water; Vibrant shades of blue, green and orange; by Bob Shaw, Percy Waters, and Zeke Owens; Unreal engine 5.
4. A high-resolution painting of a classic traditional heart tattoo with a banner that reads “Mom”; American Traditional, Classic Traditional; Ink, Watercolor; Bold lighting with heavy shadows; Bright red and blue colors; by Sailor Jerry, Ed Hardy, and Amund Dietzel; Unreal engine 5.
5. A high-resolution painting of a traditional snake and dagger tattoo; Traditional, Neo-Traditional; Ink, Acrylic; Low key lighting with a dark background; Green and black colors; by Bert Grimm, Owen Jensen, and Jime Litwalk; Unreal engine 5.
6. A high-resolution painting of a pin-up girl tattoo holding a martini glass; American Traditional, Neo-Traditional; Ink, Watercolor; Warm and bright lighting with a yellow-orange background; Colorful and vibrant with shades of pink and blue; by Gil Elvgren, Olivia De Berardinis, and Lou Shadler; Unreal engine 5.
7. A high-resolution painting of a Traditional / Old School tattoo of a roaring tiger with its teeth bared, set against a backdrop of stylized flames; Wildlife, Flames; Traditional, Neo-traditional; Ink, Watercolor; Warm, fiery lighting; Bold, vibrant colors with black outlines; by Sailor Jerry, Ed Hardy, and Mike Malone; Unreal Engine 5
8. A high-resolution painting of a Traditional / Old School tattoo of a mermaid sitting on a rock, holding a seashell to her ear, while gazing out at the sea; Nautical, Mythical; Traditional, Realism; Oil, Watercolor; Soft, diffused lighting; Pastel colors with bold outlines; by Bob Shaw, Bert Grimm, and Amund Dietzel; Unreal Engine 5
9. A high-resolution painting of a Traditional / Old School tattoo of a skull with a snake wrapped around it, set against a backdrop of stylized flames; Flames, Wildlife; Traditional, Neo-traditional; Ink, Watercolor; Warm, fiery lighting; Bold, vibrant colors with black outlines; by Lyle Tuttle, Don Ed Hardy, and Mike Malone; Unreal Engine 5
10. A high-resolution painting of a fierce black panther tattoo surrounded by tribal patterns and red roses; Tribal, Realism; Black and Gray, Fine Line; Ink, Charcoal; Low Key Lighting; Monochromatic with red accents; by Paul Booth, Nikko Hurtado, and Ryan Smith; Unreal engine 5
11. A high-resolution painting of a traditional eagle tattoo with a banner that says “Freedom”; Traditional, Realism; Bold Lines, Bright Colors; Ink, Watercolor; High Contrast Lighting; Red, White, and Blue color scheme; by Sailor Jerry, Amund Dietzel, and Lyle Tuttle; Unreal engine 5
12. A high-resolution painting of a colorful koi fish tattoo with waves and lotus flowers; Japanese, Neo-Traditional; Bold Lines, Bright Colors; Ink, Watercolor; Soft, diffused lighting; Vibrant colors with a lot of blues and pinks; by Horiyoshi III, Shige, and Horitomo; Unreal engine 5
13. A high-resolution painting of a traditional old school tattoo of a roaring tiger with a rose in its mouth and a banner that reads “fearless”; Wildlife, Nature; Traditional, Realism; Ink, Watercolor; Bold, contrasty lighting; Black, red, and green color scheme; by Sailor Jerry, Bert Grimm, and Lyle Tuttle; Unreal engine 5
14. A high-resolution painting of a traditional old school tattoo of a mermaid sitting on a rock with a ship in the background; Fantasy, Ocean; Traditional, Realism; Ink, Acrylic; Natural, soft lighting; Blue, green, and yellow color scheme; by Bob Shaw, Ed Hardy, and Amund Dietzel; Unreal engine 5
15. A high-resolution painting of a traditional old school tattoo of a skull and crossbones with a banner that reads “death before dishonor”; Dark, Gothic; Traditional, Realism; Ink, Oil; Low key lighting with dramatic shadows; Black, gray, and red color scheme; by Jack Rudy, Paul Rogers, and Don Ed Hardy; Unreal engine 5
16. A high-resolution painting of a traditional sailor tattoo of a mermaid sitting on an anchor, surrounded by waves and seagulls; Nautical, Mythical; Realism, Bold Outline; Ink, Watercolor; Bright, natural lighting; Monochromatic with shades of blue; by Norman Collins, Sailor Jerry, and Ed Hardy; Unreal engine 5.
17. A high-resolution painting of a traditional tattoo of a fierce tiger’s head, with sharp eyes, teeth, and whiskers, surrounded by clouds and lightning; Oriental, Wildlife; Realism, Bold Outline; Ink, Acrylic; Dramatic, low lighting; Monochromatic with shades of black; by Horiyoshi III, Kazuyoshi Nakano, and Horitomo; Unreal engine 5.
18. A high-resolution painting of a traditional tattoo of a skull wearing a cowboy hat, with roses and cacti in the background; Western, Gothic; Realism, Bold Outline; Ink, Watercolor; Warm, natural lighting; Monochromatic with shades of red; by Cliff Raven, Don Ed Hardy, and Jack Rudy; Unreal engine 5.
19. A high-resolution painting of a fierce dragon tattoo with intricate details and bold black lines; Fantasy, Mythology; Traditional, Neo-Traditional; Ink, Watercolor; Dramatic, Low Key Lighting; Monochromatic with shades of black and gray; by Horiyoshi III, Sailor Jerry, and Ed Hardy; Unreal engine 5.
20. A high-resolution painting of a colorful and detailed traditional style mermaid tattoo with flowing hair and tail; Fantasy, Mythology; Traditional, Old School; Ink, Watercolor; Soft, diffused lighting; Colorful with shades of blue, green, and purple; by Amund Dietzel, Bert Grimm, and Paul Rogers; Unreal engine 5.
21. A high-resolution painting of a traditional style skull and rose tattoo with bold black lines and bright colors; Horror, Gothic; Traditional, Neo-Traditional; Ink, Acrylic; Dramatic, Low Key Lighting; Monochromatic with shades of red, black, and gray; by Lyle Tuttle, Don Ed Hardy, and Mike Malone; Unreal engine 5.
22. A high-resolution painting of a fierce tiger tattooed on the back of a samurai; Japanese art, Asian mythology; Traditional, Neo-traditional; Ink, watercolor; Dimly lit with dramatic shadows; Vibrant orange with black and white; by Hokusai, Kuniyoshi, and Horimatsu; Unreal engine 5.
23. A high-resolution painting of a nautical themed anchor tattoo with a ship in the background and an eagle perched on top; Maritime art, American traditional; Bold, Graphic; Ink, Oil; Bright and sunny; Primary colors with bold black outlines; by Norman Collins, Sailor Jerry, and Ed Hardy; Unreal engine 5.
24. A high-resolution painting of a mystical phoenix tattoo rising from the ashes; Fantasy, Mythology; Realism, Illustrative; Ink, Acrylic; Glowing and magical with soft highlights and shadows; Vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow; by Gustave Doré, J.W. Waterhouse, and Alex Grey; Unreal engine 5.
25. A high-resolution painting of a fierce black panther tattoo surrounded by a tribal pattern on the bicep; Tribal, Wildlife; Traditional, Realism; Ink, Watercolor; Dramatic lighting with shadows; Black and gray with subtle hints of color; by Sailor Jerry, Mike Malone, and Filip Leu; Unreal engine 5
26. A high-resolution painting of a beautiful mermaid tattoo with flowing hair and seashell bra; Nautical, Mythical; Neo-Traditional, Illustrative; Oil, Charcoal; Soft lighting with underwater hues; Bright and bold with shades of blue, pink, and green; by Norman Collins, Lyle Tuttle, and Hannah Flowers; Unreal engine 5
27. A high-resolution painting of a colorful koi fish tattoo swimming in water with lotus flowers and waves; Japanese, Nature; New School, Illustrative; Acrylic, Spray Paint; Bright, vibrant lighting with movement; Bold and colorful with shades of orange, yellow, blue, and green; by Horiyoshi III, Horitomo, and Shige; Unreal engine 5
28. A high-resolution painting of a fierce black panther with piercing green eyes; Wildlife, Nature; Realism, Traditional; Black ink, Watercolor; Soft, diffused lighting; Monochromatic with shades of black and green; by Sailor Jerry, Ed Hardy, and Don Ed Hardy; Unreal engine 5.
29. A high-resolution painting of a classic anchor tattoo with a banner reading “Hold Fast”; Nautical, Traditional; Realism, Illustrative; Black ink; Bright, natural lighting; Monochromatic with shades of black; by Norman Collins, Amund Dietzel, and Paul Rogers; Unreal engine 5.
30. A high-resolution painting of a traditional dagger tattoo with a snake coiled around the blade; Classic, Mythical; Realism, Illustrative; Black ink; Bright, dramatic lighting; Monochromatic with shades of black and gray; by Bert Grimm, Percy Waters, and Owen Jensen; Unreal engine 5.